At Pinehurst No. 2, the Payne Stewart statue in his iconic pose stands tall. One sight of the statue and visitors will reminisce about the legacy of the legendary golfer and the course’s history. In 1999, the same year Stewart won his second US Open at Pinehurst, the legendary golfer died in a tragic plane crash. Now, on the 25th anniversary of his US Open win, the USGA has decided to honor Stewart and his career.

In this contribution, Bryson DeChambeau has taken a part too. The Scientist calls Payne Stewart one of his idols, who he watched and got inspired by while learning golf. When Stewart won the US Open in 1999, DeChambeau was only 5 and could not celebrate as much. However, 25 years later, he has a flat cap with the Crushers GC’s logo hanging on the side of his bag in remembrance of Stewart.

The 30-year-old giving Stewart a tribute said, “It’s with me and makes me think of him every time I’m walking on these grounds. So he’s meant a lot to me in the game.” Although DeChambeau and Stewart never met each other, the two have had mysteriously similar instances in their lives.

Interestingly, DeChambeau and Stewart’s breakthrough win on the PGA Tour occurred at the same event. The 11-time PGA Tour winner won the Miller High Life QCO in 1982 as his maiden victory. And exactly 35 years later, DeChambeau won the renamed John Deere Classic as his first PGA Tour victory as well.

That’s not all. DeChambeau’s start in the collegiate career was also similar to that of Payne Stewart.

Bryson DeChambeau recalls why he joined SMU

As known, Bryson DeChambeau is the proud alum of Southern Methodist University, but not everyone knows why he chose SMU out of all the other colleges available. DeChambeau brought an end to this confusion recently, while the 30-year-old recounted walking down the SMU’s athletic department.

The 2020 US Open winner wore a similar hat as Payne Stewart’s signature and what Ben Hogan wore. It was a tribute to both veteran golfers in whatever small way he could do at that time. Talking at the press conference, he then, recalled, “When I went to SMU, in the athletic department on the wall I saw a mural of him [Stewart].” The 30-year-old was unaware of the fact that Stewart was an SMU alum too.

After the people confirmed this fact, DeChambeau chose his college. He said, “That was probably the moment I decided to go to SMU when I saw that mural on the wall.” Surprisingly, the two have been connected in miraculous ways. Now, as DeChambeau walks Pinehurst just as Stewart did, it will be an unforgettable moment to see him triumph at the same course as his idol, and jump with the iconic fist pump of his own!